In a 28-minute speech to a ballroom full of teachers, Gov. Susana Martinez kicked off this year’s New Mexico Teacher Summit with anecdotes that touted her administration’s work, gave kudos to teachers who “hold students in your hands” and reminded them of their responsibility.

The event – a two-day, state Public Education Department-hosted professional development conference at the Albuquerque Convention Center – brought in teachers from across the state, with some traveling from as far as Texico and Shiprock.

Dawn Bilbrey, an eighth-grade English language arts and U.S. history teacher at Texico Middle School, is a presenter and attendee at this year’s conference. She said the annual summits have shaped the way she teaches. (Greg Sorber/JOURNAL)

Dawn Bilbrey, an eighth-grade English language arts and U.S. history teacher at Texico Middle School, traveled four hours to be there.

Martinez extolled accomplishments during her two terms, saying more students in the state are taking Advanced Placement classes than in previous years, and noted increases in state pre-kindergarten funding and district participation.

“Education in New Mexico is on the rise,” she said.

The summit kicks off as gubernatorial candidates on both sides of the aisle – U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who won the state’s Democratic nomination, and Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce – have said they would overhaul teacher evaluations, which has been a pivotal and controversial part of Martinez’s education efforts.

“God bless you and everything you do,” Martinez concluded her speech to the teachers.